After months of terrorizing the locals, authorities have successfully captured a colossal crocodile.
For several months, a 14.1-foot-long crocodile had been prowling around the town of Cordelia in Australia’s north Queensland. This menacing creature had been closely shadowing domestic and farm animals, causing fear and distress among the residents. It even had the audacity to devour chickens, posing a significant threat to the local community.
On Sunday, local authorities captured the crocodile on the banks of the Herbert River after it was deemed a dangerous animal.
According to Lawrence Perticato, a resident of Cordelia who lives on the Herbert River, there has been a concerning incident where a crocodile has been approaching and monitoring the people on the riverbank. Perticato, who has spent his entire life living by the river and is familiar with crocodiles, has identified this particular crocodile as a dangerous one.
The man expressed his deep concerns about the persistent stalking behavior of this individual. He shared his frustration, mentioning how it has become increasingly alarming. “I usually enjoy spending time fishing in this river, but due to the potential danger posed by this stalker, I haven’t been able to use my boat,” he explained.
Perticato finally reached out to the Queensland Department of Environment, Science and Innovation, who dedicated more than a month to capturing the elusive creature.
The saltwater crocodile, commonly found in estuaries and rivers throughout the Indo-Pacific region, including India, Southeast Asia, and Australia, is believed to be the type of crocodile encountered. Reaching lengths of up to 20 feet, they are the largest species of crocodile. It is estimated that approximately 1,000 individuals have lost their lives due to encounters with these formidable creatures.
Australia is home to approximately 200,000 saltwater crocodiles. Despite their large population, the number of crocodile attacks in the country is relatively low. On average, only one person is attacked each year, and there have been three recorded deaths from crocodile attacks since 2018.
“We thoroughly investigate every sighting report and once we observed the crocodile’s behavior, we deemed it necessary to remove it from the wild,” commented Tony Frisby, a senior wildlife officer, in a statement from the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation. “Initially, we attempted an in-river floating trap, but due to heavy rainfall and the subsequent rise in river levels, we had to resort to installing a gated trap, which is a trap that is positioned on the riverbank.”
On Sunday, the trap successfully captured the crocodile. Unhappy with its newfound captivity, the crocodile made a lot of noise as officers arrived to remove it from the location.
According to wildlife officer Ella Meeve from ABC North Qld, the individual in question did not appear to be particularly excited. Meeve mentioned that the individual was quite vocal, emitting a multitude of growls and bellows.
Meeve expressed great relief upon successfully removing the animal. She emphasized the potential danger it posed if people were to approach the water too closely.
At the same time, there was news of a 10-foot crocodile being trapped on the banks of the Ross River in Townsville.
According to Frisby, the crocodile on the Ross River had been frequenting the weir for a few weeks. Because of its behavior and the potential danger it posed to the public, it was deemed necessary to remove it from the wild.
Both of these crocodiles will eventually find themselves in a zoo or a wildlife sanctuary.
“People should be aware that removing these crocodiles does not automatically make the Herbert River or the Ross River safer,” emphasized Frisby. “The Townsville region is known for its crocodile population, and it is important for individuals to exercise caution and make wise decisions when near waterways. We must avoid becoming complacent.”
According to the expert, individuals must recognize their accountability for their own safety in areas inhabited by crocodiles. It is crucial to anticipate the presence of crocodiles in all bodies of water, regardless of the absence of warning signs.
Living in areas where crocodiles are common, it is important to follow the advice of the Department of Environment, Science, and Innovation. They strongly recommend staying away from waterways and avoiding any interaction with crocodiles. This includes refraining from feeding them or leaving any food or fish scraps near the water’s edge. It is also advised to limit swimming to daylight hours and clear water, even in the ocean, as saltwater crocodiles can be found there as well. Furthermore, it is best to avoid croc traps and refrain from using small watercraft such as kayaks.
It is advised to avoid using small watercraft, such as kayaks and paddleboards, in areas where crocodiles are present. The risk of encountering a crocodile is higher when using smaller vessels, as there have been cases where crocodiles have attacked and taken people from such boats.
